How To Watch This Year's Total Solar Eclipse

On August 21, 2017 (that's a Monday), a total solar eclipse will be seen over the U.S. Although the "path of totality" won't reach the Philippines, it doesn't mean budding astronomers on our shores won't be able to enjoy the rare natural phenomenon.

Mashable reports that NASA is teaming up with online video platform Stream to provide live images of the eclipse from an altitude of 100,000 feet. It will be the first eclipse to be filmed from this altitude, which is significant because it's high enough to avoid interference from cloud coverage. The broadcast is also tipped be the space agency's most-watched livestream on record since the landing of the Mars Curiosity rover in 2012.

As for the secret to capturing the best views of the event, Stream's CMO, Will Jamieson, says it's all down to balloons. In fact, 57 teams will launch balloons with video equipment attached at dozens of sites across the eclipse path so that stargazers outside the U.S. can catch a glimpse of the extraordinary moment when the moon fully blocks the Sun.

According to Space.com, this will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the continental U.S. in nearly 40 years. It will darken the skies from Oregon to South Carolina, with the path covering Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina in between.

The solar eclipse won't be seen in the Philippines, but there will a partial lunar eclipse happening from August 7 to 8.

The next significant solar eclipse that will be visible in the country will be on December 26, 2019. That's a long wait so enjoy the stream.

In the 15 years since The Wire, Elba has starred in blockbusters and art house films, won a Golden Globe, released two albums, founded a production house, received an OBE, launched a clothing label and made his directing debut. He's only just getting started.